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Trump Arrives at His Golf Course During US Women’s Open

July 14, 2017 9:05 PM

VOA News

President Donald Trump talks with his son Eric Trump, right, while looking over the 15th green from his viewing platform during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open Golf tournament, July 14, 2017, in Bedminster, N.J.

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived at one of his golf courses in New Jersey, which is hosting the U.S. Women’s Open golf championship.

Trump’s motorcade drove into the 500-acre Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster on Friday as the women were playing their second round of the tournament. A crowd gathered and waved as Trump drove by on the rainy day.

Trump traveled to New Jersey from Paris, where he had met with French President Emmanuel Macron and celebrated Bastille Day.

He tweeted Friday morning that he would be heading toward the tournament, “Left Paris for U.S.A. Will be heading to New Jersey and attending the #USWomensOpen, their most important tournament, this afternoon.”

The U.S. Golf Association issued a statement earlier Friday welcoming President Trump.

“If the president of the United States decides to attend the U.S. Women’s Open championship, we welcome him,” the USGA said. It noted that this is the first time a sitting president has attended a U.S. Women’s Open.

Trump National Golf Club, located on rolling hills in New Jersey’s horse country, was chosen as the site of this year’s event in 2012, long before Trump officially entered politics.

The event was expected to draw protesters who have criticized the U.S. Golf Association for not moving the tournament to a different venue after comments about women made by Trump surfaced during his 2016 presidential campaign.